Introduction to a Nurse’s Artistic Side
A nurse in Philadelphia shares the power of art and weaves through life as an artist and health service provider. To take care of people and know about their illnesses, this nurse provides their art with all kinds of ideas. Weaving, creating art – that’s what Linda Ruggiero does if she doesn’t work as a nurse at Penn Medicine.
Finding Inspiration in Nursing
"I definitely get my inspiration from these experiences in the laboratory and in other areas of nursing," said Ruggiero. In the laboratory for cardiac catheterization, she was inspired by all hoses and stents. She explains this creation and shows what happens when there is a restless artery. Her artwork, "Aneurysm," is a representation of this inspiration. The heart is a great metaphor for works of art and for opening and healing and life, "said Ruggiero." And so it was just easy to establish this connection.
From Research to Nursing
Ruggiero was a neuroscientific researcher before deciding on nursing seven years ago. "I just liked the learning aspect," she said. At the beginning of their nursing careers, Covid Hit and Penn were bombed with sick and dying patients. Ruggiero was at the forefront in the hospital. "It was terrible and it was so heartbreaking," she said, "and it just felt like it didn’t stop."
Art as Salvation
Making art became her salvation during this dark day of pandemic. "The piece means" contained "because we feel that we can contain this virus that was not included in any form," said Ruggiero. There are two pieces about Covid: one mess of yarn and the other somewhat more organized. "This was a kind of our attempt to keep things properly and contain so that it somehow seeps on the sides. And that was it as if I was actually only chaotic," she said.
Current Focus and Teaching
Now their art focuses more on patients and families in Philadelphia and fights with gun violence and drug addiction. "Being creative always helped me feel better," said Ruggiero. And as if it were not already busy, the Penn Medicine Hospital nurse also teaches weaving. Ruggiero said that she started knitting as something on the bus in early 20th.
